The Roommate

 The Roommate
The Booth Theatre
October 12, 2024 

Photo courtesy of The Roommate

Mia Farrow and Patti LuPone are delightful in Jen Silverman’s play, The Roommate.  Their characters are complete opposites, and their energies bounce off one another brilliantly.  Director Jack O’Brien builds on the suspense in Ms. Silverman’s writing, allowing each moment to take the audience by surprise.

Sharon (played by Mia Farrow) is anxious to get to know her new roommate, Robyn (played by Patti LuPone), who drove for two days to get from the Bronx to Iowa City.  Sharon is an open book, telling Robyn all about her reading group and her son, who lives in Park Slope.  Robyn is a little more reserved, but does tell Sharon that she is a vegan and a lesbian.  The more Sharon pries, the more Robyn pulls away.  When Robyn reveals she has a daughter, Sharon feels they can share the challenges and disappointments of motherhood.  Sharon discovers something among Robyn’s belongings that concerns her.  She addresses it directly, only to be more intrigued when Robyn tells her the truth.  The life that Robyn has been running from is just the excitement Sharon craves. 

Patti LuPone & Mia Farrow
Photo courtesy of The Roommate

The transformation both characters undergo during their journey together is tangible.  Their bond gradually develops.  Sharon continually backs away, while Robyn’s aggressions and charms lure her in.  Ms. Farrow and Ms. LuPone play this game of cat and mouse beautifully.  Ms. Farrow varies her tactics, and Ms. LuPone avoids and defends.  Ms. Farrow’s persistence is sometimes tender and sometimes manipulative.  Ms. LuPone’s responses are often direct.  When that doesn’t work, she shuts down and leaves the room.  This back and forth is genuine and continuous, propelling the action at a brisk and natural pace.  When the table turns and Sharon takes control, Ms. Farrow blossoms with excitement, causing trepidation in Robyn.  Ms. LuPone plays this shift with sincerity, giving Sharon the closure she needs, while also allowing her to continue to discover herself. 

Don’t miss these two superstars in this excellent play!  The Roommate is playing at the Booth Theatre through December 15. 

Domenick Danza

Company

 Company
Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
July 6, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Company

Director Marianne Elliott has successfully transported Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company into the 21^st Century.  The Broadway revival examines the phases of life and relationships, and gives you pause to ponder what it takes to get through them.  You think about who you have to become to find happiness.  You wonder why the things that work for someone else are not right for you.  The choreography by Liam Steel is sharp, witty, and fast paced.  His movement and staging further explores the dichotomy in Mr. Sondheim’s lyrics, the deep and personal dive in Mr. Furth’s book, and Ms. Elliot’s bold, neon-light interpretation of the piece.

It’s Bobbie’s (played by Katrina Lenk) thirty-fifth birthday.  Her friends are throwing her a surprise party.  She’d rather be alone.  All her friends are married.  Bobbie evaluates her life by looking at her own reflection through the eyes of her friends and their relationships.  They want her to get married, yet all of their relationships bring up a fear of commitment.  There are three men she has been seeing: PJ (played by Bobby Conte), Theo (played by Manu Narayan), and Andy (played by Claybourne Elder).  Each one brings out a different aspect of her personality and desires, but none of them gives her what she really needs.  It is her friend, Joanne (played by Patti Lupone), who finally pushes Bobbie to take an honest look and accept herself as she is. 

Katrina Lenk & the Cast of Company
Photo courtesy of Company

Katrina Lenk brings a vibrant perspective to the role of Bobbie, who was originally written as a male character.  She has a strong, beguiling presence and a superb singing voice.  Her character’s search is sincere, even though it is more motivated by the people around her than from her individual need.  This creates confusion for the character, which is genuinely portrayed.  It is through the search itself that she discovers her own need.  It is an interesting interpretation and journey, with a palpable ending.  Her rendition of “Marry Me a Little,” which is added to the end of Act I, is stunning.  

Terence Archie Patti Lupone, & Katrina Lenk
Photo courtesy of Company

Patti Lupone holds nothing back as Joanne.  She tells it like it is, and does not allow Bobbie to evade the issue at hand.  She holds up a clear mirror for Bobbie to take a cold, direct look at herself.  Her performance of “The Ladies Who Lunch” is honest and sad, yet grounded in a will to survive. 

Jennifer Simard and Christopher Sieber are hysterical as Sarah and Harry.  Matt Doyle and Jacob Dickey (understudy) are neurotic and romantic as Jamie and Paul.  Jeff Kready and Nikki Renée Daniels are endearing as David and Jenny.  Rashida Scott and Javier Ignacio (understudy) are full or surprises as Susan and Peter.  Terence Archie is grounded and solid as Joanne’s third husband, Larry.  

Claybourne Elder plays the flight attendant, Andy, for every possible laugh.  His timing is perfect.  He plays the character with a superbly dry balance of naivete and brazen sex appeal.  Bobby Conte’s interpretation of “Another Hundred People” is unique and effective.  Manu Narayan portrays Theo with a refreshing and heartbreaking sincerity. 

Bobby Conte & Katrina Lenk
Photo courtesy of Company

The set, designed by Bunny Christie, depicts numerous NYC apartments that inhabit the action.  The geometric spaces create stringent, realistic limitation.  The structures move and connect in unexpected ways and at unexpected times.  Lighting, designed by Neil Austin, creates an open, vast atmosphere that closes in on the tight, crowded living spaces.  He then illuminates them with neon lights boarders to highlight the intimacy of the action. 

Company is closing on July 31.  If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to get your ticket right away.  It is playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. 

Domenick Danza